Melissa Salm

Bio

Melissa Salm is a postdoctoral fellow in the Center for International Security and Cooperation (CISAC) at Stanford University, where she works with Dr. Megan Palmer and Dr. David Relman. Originally trained as an anthropologist of science, Melissa’s research portfolio centers around building bridges between the human, health and life sciences to drive innovation in global public health research. Currently, Melissa works with virologists, bioethicists, synthetic biologists, and security strategists on policy-facing research to identify mechanisms for transforming biotechnological innovations into tools that can safely improve scientific understanding of pathogen emergence and increase capacities for pandemic preparedness without increasing unnecessary research-related risks.

Prior to joining CISAC, Melissa completed her PhD in Anthropology with a designated emphasis in Science & Technology Studies from the University of California, Davis. Her doctoral research examined the integration of climate science, veterinary medicine, animal population ecology and biosecurity frameworks into epidemiological field investigations of endemic zoonoses (i.e., One Health) across Peru. The dissertation chronicled how collaborative, cross-sectoral and transdisciplinary forms of global health research catalyzed new ways of understanding and intervening into disease dynamics arising at human-animal-environment interfaces. Her postdoctoral research steers this inquiry into a different direction that critically interrogates the promises and perils of One Health-related viral discovery initiatives and ongoing experimental laboratory research with pandemic potential pathogens.

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations

• Research Committee TAC Member, Consortium of Universities for Global Health (2020 - Present)
• Editorial Liason for SMA Section News, Society for Medical Anthropology (2020 - Present)

Professional Education

• Bachelor of Arts, New York University, Individualized Study (2010)
• MA, University of London - Goldsmiths, Sociology (2011)
• PhD, University of California, Department of Anthropology (2021)

Stanford Advisors

• David Relman, Postdoctoral Faculty Sponsor

Community and International Work

• Addressing the Anti-Science Movement

  Partnering Organization(s)

  Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH)

  Location

  International

  Ongoing Project

  Yes

  Opportunities for Student Involvement

  Yes

• Towards a Global Definition of Global Health

  Partnering Organization(s)

  NIH Fogarty International Center, University of California Global Health Institute (UCGHI), Emerging Diseases and Climate Change Research Unit (EMERGE), Universidad Cayetano Heredia Peru

  Location

  International

  Ongoing Project

  No

  Opportunities for Student Involvement

  No